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Rejoice in the Lamb, Op 30

Introduction

The music that Britten wrote in the early 1940s, following his return to Great Britain from America—and whilst he was progressing on the composition of Peter Grimes—has a remarkable energy and vitality. Still today, 60 years or so after the first performance of Rejoice in the Lamb, Op 30, it is striking how vividly and brilliantly Britten responds to the witty, idiosyncratic words of poet Christopher Smart. The text is a celebration of the creator God found in all things. It begins with a hushed prayer that leads on to an invocation of a whole series of Old Testament characters sung to some thrilling, rhythmically taxing, music. Then follows a contemplation of the poet’s cat Jeoffry and the animal’s awareness of his maker; here a solo vocal part converses playfully with an obbligato organ line just as a cat might be teased with a ball of wool. Further meditations follow—on a mouse and on flowers, both also reflections of their creator’s greatness—before the concluding sprint through an animated parade of musical instruments and a graceful Purcellian ‘Hallelujah’ that neatly brings the work to a close. It is perhaps typical of Britten that he responded to Walter Hussey’s invitation to compose a piece for an Anglican church service by writing something that was so far away from the manner of other contemporary church music. There is music here that has a deep poignancy in its most contemplative moments but it is delightfully boisterous and almost comical in the fast-moving sections.

Recordings

The Rodolfus Choir marks both Benjamin Britten’s centenary year and the 30th anniversary of the choir’s first concert. The album includes the premiere recording of Paul Mealor’s Praise, commissioned especially for the choir.» More

'Excellent in every aspect. The presence is breathtaking, the singing of both soloists and choir are quite superb, and the accompaniment by the organi ...'This beautifully made record deserves the widest circulation. The sound these choirs make is of great beauty, and is captured in a flawless recording ...» More

This magnificient programme sung by The Temple Church Choir explores three fascinating and contrasting settings of the Te Deum: A stalwart of the church liturgy (first conceived as far back as AD 387), these settings span over 300 years of English ...» More

Details

Rejoice in God, O ye Tongues; Give the glory to the Lord, And the Lamb. Nations, and languages, And every Creature In which is the breath of Life. Let man and beast appear before him, And magnify his name together.

Let Nimrod, the mighty hunter, Bind a leopard to the altar And consecrate his spear to the Lord.

Let Ishmail dedicate a tyger, And give praise for the liberty In which the Lord has let him at large.

Let Balaam appear with an ass, And bless the Lord his people And his creatures for a reward eternal.

Let Daniel come forth with a lion, And praise God with all his might Through faith in Christ Jesus.

Let Ithamar minister with a chamois, And bless the name of Him That cloatheth the naked.

Let Jakim with the satyr Bless God in the dance, Dance, dance, dance.

Let David bless with the bear The beginning of victory to the Lord, To the Lord the perfection of excellence.

Hallelujah, hallelujah, Hallelujah from the heart of God, And from the hand of the artist inimitable, And from the echo of the heavenly harp In sweetness magnifical and mighty. Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah.

For I will consider my cat Jeoffry. For he is the servant of the living God. Duly and daily serving him.

For at the first glance Of the glory of God in the East He worships in his way.

For this is done by wreathing his body Seven times round with elegant quickness. For he knows that God is his saviour. For God has blessed him In the variety of his movements. For there is nothing sweeter Than his peace when at rest. For I am possessed of a cat, Surpassing in beauty, From whom I take occasion To bless Almighty God.

For the Mouse is a creature Of great personal valour. For—this is a true case— Cat takes female mouse, Male mouse will not depart, But stands threat’ning and daring. If you will let her go, I will engage you, As prodigious a creature as you are. For the Mouse is a creature Of great personal valour. For the Mouse is of An hospitable disposition.

For the flowers are great blessings. For the flowers have their angels, Even the words of God’s creation. For the flower glorifies God And the root parries the adversary. For there is a language of flowers. For the flowers are peculiarly The poetry of Christ.

For I am under the same accusation With my Savior, For they said, He is besides himself. For the officers of the peace Are at variance with me, And the watchman smites me With his staff.

For Silly Fellow, Silly Fellow, Is against me, And belongeth neither to me Nor to my family. For I am in twelve hardships, But he that was born of a virgin Shall deliver me out of all.

For H is a spirit And therefore he is God. For K is king And therefore he is God. For L is love And therefore he is God. For M is musick And therefore he is God.

For the instruments are by their rhimes, For the shawm rhimes are lawn fawn moon boon and the like. For the harp rhimes are sing ring string and the like. For the cymbal rhimes are bell well toll soul and the like. For the flute rhimes are tooth youth suit mute and the like. For the bassoon rhimes are pass class and the like. For the dulcimer rhimes are grace place beat heat and the like. For the clarinet rhimes are clean seen and the like. For the trumpet rhimes are sound bound soar more and the like.

For the trumpet of God is a blessed intelligence And so are all the instruments in Heav’n. For God the Father Almighty plays upon the harp Of stupendous magnitude and melody. For at that time malignity ceases And the devils themselves are at peace. For this time is perceptible to man By a remarkable stillness and serenity of soul.

Hallelujah, hallelujah, Hallelujah from the heart of God, And from the hand of the artist inimitable, And from the echo of the heavenly harp In sweetness magnifical and mighty. Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah.

Rejoice in God, O ye Tongues; Give the glory to the Lord, And the Lamb. Nations, and languages, And every Creature In which is the breath of Life. Let man and beast appear before him, And magnify his name together.

Let Nimrod, the mighty hunter, Bind a leopard to the altar And consecrate his spear to the Lord.

Let Ishmail dedicate a tyger, And give praise for the liberty In which the Lord has let him at large.

Let Balaam appear with an ass, And bless the Lord his people And his creatures for a reward eternal.

Let Daniel come forth with a lion, And praise God with all his might Through faith in Christ Jesus.

Let Ithamar minister with a chamois, And bless the name of Him That cloatheth the naked.

Let Jakim with the satyr Bless God in the dance, Dance, dance, dance.

Let David bless with the bear The beginning of victory to the Lord, To the Lord the perfection of excellence.

Hallelujah, hallelujah, Hallelujah from the heart of God, And from the hand of the artist inimitable, And from the echo of the heavenly harp In sweetness magnifical and mighty. Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah.

For I will consider my cat Jeoffry. For he is the servant of the living God. Duly and daily serving him.

For at the first glance Of the glory of God in the East He worships in his way.

For this is done by wreathing his body Seven times round with elegant quickness. For he knows that God is his saviour. For God has blessed him In the variety of his movements. For there is nothing sweeter Than his peace when at rest. For I am possessed of a cat, Surpassing in beauty, From whom I take occasion To bless Almighty God.

For the Mouse is a creature Of great personal valour. For—this is a true case— Cat takes female mouse, Male mouse will not depart, But stands threat’ning and daring. If you will let her go, I will engage you, As prodigious a creature as you are. For the Mouse is a creature Of great personal valour. For the Mouse is of An hospitable disposition.

For the flowers are great blessings. For the flowers have their angels, Even the words of God’s creation. For the flower glorifies God And the root parries the adversary. For there is a language of flowers. For the flowers are peculiarly The poetry of Christ.

For I am under the same accusation With my Savior, For they said, He is besides himself. For the officers of the peace Are at variance with me, And the watchman smites me With his staff.

For Silly Fellow, Silly Fellow, Is against me, And belongeth neither to me Nor to my family. For I am in twelve hardships, But he that was born of a virgin Shall deliver me out of all.

For H is a spirit And therefore he is God. For K is king And therefore he is God. For L is love And therefore he is God. For M is musick And therefore he is God.

For the instruments are by their rhimes, For the shawm rhimes are lawn fawn moon boon and the like. For the harp rhimes are sing ring string and the like. For the cymbal rhimes are bell well toll soul and the like. For the flute rhimes are tooth youth suit mute and the like. For the bassoon rhimes are pass class and the like. For the dulcimer rhimes are grace place beat heat and the like. For the clarinet rhimes are clean seen and the like. For the trumpet rhimes are sound bound soar more and the like.

For the trumpet of God is a blessed intelligence And so are all the instruments in Heav’n. For God the Father Almighty plays upon the harp Of stupendous magnitude and melody. For at that time malignity ceases And the devils themselves are at peace. For this time is perceptible to man By a remarkable stillness and serenity of soul.

Hallelujah, hallelujah, Hallelujah from the heart of God, And from the hand of the artist inimitable, And from the echo of the heavenly harp In sweetness magnifical and mighty. Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah.

Rejoice in God, O ye Tongues; give the glory to the Lord, and the Lamb. Nations, and languages, and every Creature, in which is the breath of Life. Let man and beast appear before him, and magnify his name together. Let Nimrod, the mighty hunter, bind a Leopard to the altar, and consecrate his spear to the Lord. Let Ishmael dedicate a Tyger, and give praise for the liberty in which the Lord has let him at large. Let Balaam appear with an Ass, and bless the Lord his people and his creatures for a reward eternal. Let Daniel come forth with a Lion, and praise God with all might through faith in Christ Jesus. Let Ithamar minister with a Chamois, and bless the name of Him, that cloatheth the naked. Let Jakim with the Satyr bless God in the dance. Let David bless with the Bear—The beginning of victory to the Lord—to the Lord the perfection of excellence—Hallelujah from the heart of God, and from the hand of the artist inimitable, and from the echo of the heavenly harp in sweetness magnifical and mighty.

Rejoice in God, O ye Tongues; give the glory to the Lord, and the Lamb. Nations, and languages, and every Creature, in which is the breath of Life. Let man and beast appear before him, and magnify his name together.

Let Nimrod, the mighty hunter, bind a Leopard to the altar, and consecrate his spear to the Lord. Let Ishmael dedicate a Tyger, and give praise for the liberty in which the Lord has let him at large. Let Balaam appear with an Ass, and bless the Lord his people and his creatures for a reward eternal. Let Daniel come forth with a Lion, and praise God with all might through faith in Christ Jesus. Let Ithamar minister with a Chamois, and bless the name of Him, that cloatheth the naked. Let Jakim with the Satyr bless God in the dance. Let David bless with the Bear – the beginning of victory to the Lord – to the Lord the perfection of excellence.

For I will consider my Cat Jeoffry. For he is the servant of the Living God, duly and daily serving him. For at the first glance of the glory of God in the East he worships in his way. For this is done by wreathing his body seven times round with elegant quickness. For he knows that God is his Saviour. For God has blessed him in the variety of his movements. For there is nothing sweeter than his peace when at rest. For I am possessed of a cat, surpassing in beauty, from whom I take occasion to bless Almighty God.

For I will consider my Cat Jeoffry. For he is the servant of the Living God, duly and daily serving him. For at the first glance of the glory of God in the East he worships in his way. For this is done by wreathing his body seven times round with elegant quickness. For he knows that God is his Saviour. For God has blessed him in the variety of his movements. For there is nothing sweeter than his peace when at rest. For I am possessed of a cat, surpassing in beauty, from whom I take occasion to bless Almighty God.

For the Mouse is a creature of great personal valour. For—this a true case—Cat takes female mouse—male mouse will not depart, but stands threat’ning and daring. … if you will let her go, I will engage you, as prodigious a creature as you are. For the Mouse is a creature of great personal valour. For the Mouse is of an hospitable disposition.

For the Mouse is a creature of great personal valour. For – this a true case – Cat takes female mouse – male mouse will not depart, but stands threat’ning and daring. If you will let her go, I will engage you, as prodigious a creature as you are. For the Mouse is a creature of great personal valour. For the Mouse is of an hospitable disposition.

For the flowers are great blessings. For the flowers have their angels even the words of God’s Creation. For the flower glorifies God and the root parries the adversary. For there is a language of flowers. For flowers are peculiarly the poetry of Christ.

For the flowers are great blessings. For the flowers have their angels even the words of God’s Creation. For the flower glorifies God and the root parries the adversary. For there is a language of flowers. For flowers are peculiarly the poetry of Christ.

For I am under the same accusation with my Saviour— For they said, he is besides himself. For the officers of the peace are at variance with me, and the watchman smites me with his staff. For Silly fellow! Silly fellow! is against me and belongeth neither to me nor to my family. For I am in twelve HARDSHIPS, but he that was born of a virgin shall deliver me out of all.

For I am under the same accusation with my Saviour – For they said, he is besides himself. For the officers of the peace are at variance with me, and the watchman smites me with his staff. For Silly fellow! Silly fellow! is against me and belongeth neither to me nor to my family. For I am in twelve hardships, but he that was born of a virgin shall deliver me out of all.

For the instruments are by their rhimes. For the Shawm rhimes are lawn fawn moon boon and the like. For the harp rhimes are sing ring string and the like. For the cymbal rhimes are bell well toll soul and the like. For the flute rhimes are tooth youth suit mute and the like. For the Bassoon rhimes are pass class and the like. For the dulcimer rhimes are grace place beat heat and the like. For the Clarinet rhimes are clean seen and the like. For the trumpet rhimes are sound bound soar more and the like. For the TRUMPET of God is a blessed intelligence and so are the instruments in HEAVEN. For GOD the father Almighty plays upon the HARP of stupendous magnitude and melody. For at that time malignity ceases and the devils themselves are at peace. For this time is perceptible to man by a remarkable stillness and serenity of soul.

For H is a spirit and therefore he is God. For K is king and therefore he is God. For L is love and therefore he is God. For M is musick and therefore he is God.

For the instruments are by their rhimes. For the Shawm rhimes are lawn fawn moon boon and the like. For the harp rhimes are sing ring string and the like. For the cymbal rhimes are bell well toll soul and the like. For the flute rhimes are tooth youth suit mute and the like. For the Bassoon rhimes are pass class and the like. For the dulcimer rhimes are grace place beat heat and the like. For the Clarinet rhimes are clean seen and the like. For the trumpet rhimes are sound bound soar more and the like. For the Trumpet of God is a blessed intelligence and so are the instruments in Heaven. For God the father Almighty plays upon the Harp of stupendous magnitude and melody. For at that time malignity ceases and the devils themselves are at peace. For this time is perceptible to man by a remarkable stillness and serenity of soul.